Take a once-in-a-lifetime trip across Germany, sipping beer in Munich, dining on German delicacies in Berlin and experiencing the Christmas pyramids in Dresden. This immersive Christmastime tour highlights the delights of the Nuremberg Market’s Christkindlmarkt stalls—with the chance to sample authentic German Rostbratwürste, and the musical surrounds of the Leipzig Market, where locals gather to sing and celebrate the festive season. On your Local Expert Tour of Dresden, see iconic city sights like the enormous Procession of the Dukes mosaic, Zwinger Palace and the Semper Opera House. Dresden is also home to Germany’s oldest Christmas market where you can taste Christstollen—a traditional Christmas cake recipe dating back to medieval times.
Locations Visited
Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Munich
Countries Visited
Germany
Travel Style
Regional
Accommodations
7 nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Day 1
Welcome to Germany. Airport transfers will be arranged from Berlin's Brandenburg Airport to your hotel. Join your Travel Director at 18:30 for a light dinner and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other, over a delightful evening of good food and wine.
Accommodation
DoubleTree by Hilton Berlin Ku'damm
Day 2
Join your Local Expert to see the highlights of Berlin. Your exploration includes the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Unter den Linden and the restored Reichstag Building. Later on, feel free to soak up the Weihnachtszauber, or Christmas magic, at the Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s most magnificent square, framed by the Concert Hall and near identical French and German cathedrals.
Accommodation
DoubleTree by Hilton Berlin Ku'damm
Meals
Breakfast
You Local Expert provides a tour of this vibrant city. Drive along the Ku'Damm, passing the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and through Tiergarten to the Reichstag building. See the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House and visit Alexanderplatz.
Day 3
Journey south to Leipzig to visit Bach’s Thomaskirche and the medieval market square behind it. Renowned for its musical and culinary delights, the Leipzig Christmas Market is one of the most beautiful in Germany, with around 250 stalls located on the city’s historic market square. Enjoy its great traditions, which date back to the 15th century, before continuing to Dresden.
Accommodation
Hilton Dresden
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Renowned for its musical and culinary delights, the Leipzig Christmas Market is one of the most beautiful in Germany, with around 250 stalls located on the city’s historic market square. Enjoy its great traditions, which date back to the 15th century, on your orientation with your Travel Director.
Visit Thomaskirche where Bach worked as a Kapellmeister, a conductor, and where his remains are now buried.
Day 4
Your guided tour with a Local Expert will continue past the colossal 'Procession of the Dukes' mosaic, the cathedral, Semper Opera House and Zwinger Palace. Gaze in awe at the Frauenkirche, risen once again from wartime ashes. Join our Local Expert for an exploration of Dresden Christmas markets, to taste the local christstollen.
Accommodation
Townhouse Dresden
Meals
Breakfast
Your guided tour with a Local Expert shows you the Frauenkirche, the colossal 'Procession of the Dukes' mosaic, the cathedral, Semper Opera House and Zwinger Palace. You'll also learn about the traditional German Christmas Pyramids.
Day 5
Journey on to Nuremberg, where the Christkindlmarkt stalls are donned in traditional red and white cloth. Surrounded by ancient ramparts and watchtowers, look out for the Nuremberg Plum People while you explore or shop for local treats such as Rostbratwürste, Lebkuchen or Glühwein.
Accommodation
NH Collection Nürnberg City
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
In Nuremberg the Christkindlmarkt stalls are donned in traditional red and white cloth. Surrounded by ancient ramparts and watchtowers, look out for the Nuremberg Plum People while you explore or shop for local treats such as Rostbratwürste, Lebkuchen or Glühwein on your orientation with your Travel Director.
Day 6
Venture through the heart of Germany to Rothenburg ob-der-Tauber, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. Why not stroll through the cobbled streets to the year-round Christmas Shop? Here it is Christmas 365 days of the year! Later, follow parts of the meandering Romantic Road to the Bavarian capital.
Accommodation
Munich Marriott Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Fortified by ancient walls, picturesque and unspoiled, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a fairytale come true at any time of year. It dazzles in December, with its 500-year-old Reiterlesmarkt lending a festive air to the cobbled streets and medieval buildings.
During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
Day 7
Explore Munich with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Local Expert for a unique guided journey through Munich’s Advent traditions on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Alternatively, visit the famous Residenz, and see its museum and Treasury. In Marienplatz beside the soaring Town Hall, see the famous Glockenspiel. Beneath the gigantic Christmas tree, Munich’s traditional Christmas Market is an entrancing festival of light and music. In the evening, join your friends for a festive dinner with wine and good cheer at a local gasthof.
Accommodation
Munich Marriott Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Visit the Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria.
Stop to taste seasonal treats as you discover the lost and forgotten Advent traditions that play a significant role in regional cultural revitalisation. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Revel in the celebratory atmosphere of the city's famous markets as you enjoy a festive dinner with wine and good cheer.
Day 8
Auf Wiedersehen! After breakfast, your departure transfer arrives at Munich airport.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
Enjoy a Foodie Walking Tour or visit the Residenz and its Treasury in Munich.
Trip Notes:
Terms & Conditions:
*Temporary changes to standard terms and conditions apply to bookings until further notice. In accordance with travel restrictions imposed by government advisories worldwide, Insight Vacations has temporarily suspended all guided vacations across the globe for trips departing up and until 30 November 2020. For any new bookings being made, we are temporarily offering a fee waiver on the land portion of the trip until 30 days prior to departure should guests wish to change their dates or travel to a different destination. Airlines may have different policies and penalty charges, which are the guest’s responsibility. This applies to land bookings only and does not apply to group bookings. If the guest chooses a trip or departure that is more expensive than the original, they are responsible for the difference in price; if the trip or departure is less expensive than the original, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference. Please note guests are responsible for any airline penalties imposed due to trip changes and/or cancellations. View full details, along with terms and conditions here.
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the enclosed content. Insight Vacations cannot be held responsible for typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. Conditions apply. Policies are subject to change at any time.
